Updated August 19, 2022
Austin-Travis County Public Health has declared a Low COVID-19 Risk for our area.
Keep reading to see what that means for how we’re gathering at Spirit in the Hills.
You can keep up with the current stage by visiting: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/news/2020/1945-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-information
Please note that as part of the guidelines, any and all gatherings must be scheduled with the church office. You can do so by phone 512-294-2884 or email office@spiritinthehills.org, or by using the Contact form here on our website.
Our current working guidelines:
1. All meetings and gatherings must be prescheduled through the church office. Contact Lynette to place on the SITH calendar. There must be a thirty (30) minute gap between all meetings.
2. In accordance with current Austin-Travis County Public Health Low Risk and CDC Guidance (as of March 6, 2021), we recommend each person choose whether or not to wear a mask and we will do our best to encourage distancing as recommended.
We know everyone is in a different place when it comes to comfort, caution, and health and so we ask that you respect the decisions of each person with regard to their masking and distancing preferences.
3. There is a time limit of ninety (90) minutes per meeting.
4. Those gathered for worship will be invited to take Communion as they receive it in front of the altar, or are still welcome to return to their seats before ingesting the elements.
5. Please do not attend any meetings or group gatherings if you are feeling ill or have recently experienced any COVID-19 related symptoms.
6. We will do our best to have chairs pre-set with a distance of at least 6ft from the nearest groups of chairs during large group gatherings
7. Refreshments – If food or beverage are served, they will be previously packaged or served outdoors. However, you may bring your own refreshment (ie. water, coffee, tea)
In addition to these guidelines:
- If you are sick, have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last two weeks, or have any of the COVID-19 symptoms we ask that you remain home.
- All requests for a meeting should be directed to the church office (email office@spiritinthehills.org or call 512-294-2884). Please make requests one week in advance.
- We are asking that each meeting have a designated Host who will be responsible for making sure guidelines are followed and will answer an questions that may come up.
- Out of love for one another, we commit as a congregation to respecting the decisions of one another around attending in-person gatherings. Make the decision best for you and your loved ones. Whether that is to attend or to stay home, we will honor and respect your choice without judgment for that is what it means to be church and to love neighbor.
- There are open office hours on the porch of the church office every Wednesday from 10 AM – Noon, and Pastor Drew is available to meet by appointment (email pastordrew@spiritinthehills.org, call 512-431-5325)
Watch this video of Pastor Drew’s explanation of why we’re doing what we’re doing
https://www.facebook.com/spiritinthehills/videos/366466695197622
Please follow and/or check our Facebook Page regularly, and sign up for our email list for updates as well as videos, prayers, resources, information, and ways to stay connected even while we are not gathering in-person.
For links to our Livestreams, Videos, Prayer Resources, and virtual gatherings and studies/classes here as they are available and confirmed go over to www.spiritinthehills.org/live.